Trying a 2009 bottle in Dec, 2011.
Sticky and syrupy but not heavily viscous. This has all the qualities of a good loaf of pumpernickel bread: caraway seeds, molasses, cocoa, brown sugar. There’s a thick presence of caramel, vanilla, and dried dark fruit (raisins, dates, figs), slight booze heat, and a hop appearance for just a second that finishes each sip with a pleasant dry, sweet finish.
A friend of mine who loves cask ales used to wake up, open an old stock in the morning and leave it out all day until he was ready to drink it after dinner when it was nearly flat. I have tried it that way, and immediately poured from the bottle into a glass. Both are excellent. It must be the pricing that North Coast’s Rasputin gets all the glory for this brewery, but Old Stock has been quietly superior. It’s North Coast’s best beer, and it’s better than just about any barleywine and old ale around.
A note on the pricing: I picked up a 4pk/$10 in Colorado. In Washington, I’ve seen a 4pk/$13-$14 and $3.50/bottle. Do the math: compared to most (non-barrel aged) barleywines that come in bombers, these prices are typically better and the quality of the beer is better. Instead I hear about Bigfoot (put a damn leash on those hops, why is this called a barleywine?) or Adam (tasty, but without oak or barrels the price tag is uncalled for).

2009:
A - dark golden brown.
S - dark caramel, sweet
T - for someone who is into bourbon, this is the drink for you. I love it. It's a bit surprising at first how thick and syrupy, but it's great and hits the spot. Good with a nice cigar and light cheese.
M - thick syrup
O - it's delicious. Will definitely buy again for special occasion. Not an everyday beer. I would treat this like all my other whiskeys. Drink a little, or share with friends over a nice cigar.

2011:
A - dark golden brown
S- light caramel, a bit sweet. Not as sweet as 2009
T - definitely a lighter beer with nice touch of bourbon. Not as syrupy, but sweet and caramel. I bet it'll be the same as 2009 once it's aged properly.
M - nice, smooth, and light
O - this I can drink everyday over a nice meal or BBQ. The light touch of bourbon really makes it different than any other beers I've tasted

Really looked forward to trying this one and it did not disappoint. Deep ruby garnet color, thin head but very effervescent on the pour. Smells of caramel, brandy, port wine, pear, leather, cocoa. Needless to say, very complex aromas. Taste is rich, warm and rewarding. The first thing I notice is the sharp carbonation and prickly, crisp mouthfeel. Flavors are abundant: currant, spice, vanilla, oak, tart cherry-like fruit, coffee, brown sugar, clove, cocoa, hops, all with a sublime underpinning of rich, complex malt. Extreme beer, easily one of the best of it's kind, but of course it is a rare style to be found. This is s special treat. Treat it with respect: it deserves it.